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Dictionary » P » Presynaptic

Presynaptic

Definition

adjective

(1) Of, or relating to the transmitting end of a discharge across a synapse.

(2) Pertaining to or being situated at the proximal side of a synapse.


Supplement

The term is used in physiology to refer to the transmitting or proximal side of a synapse, such as a presynaptic cell (e.g. a neuron) which releases neurotransmitters that bind with the receptors of a postsynaptic cell (e.g. a muscle cell, a gland cell or a neuron).


Word origin: pre- (before) + synaptic ยป synapse

Compare: postsynaptic
See also: synapse

Related terms:


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PostSynaptic Neuron

As you know, postsynaptic neuron is excited by the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic neuron at synaptic cleft. The effect of this neurotransmitter is terminated by different ways. 1. It may be degraded by the enzyme (as you mentioned), thus preventing continous ...

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by freshbiology
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:40 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: PostSynaptic Neuron
Replies: 3
Views: 120

Calcium ions

... - for instance how does the influx of calcium ions into a nerve ending bring about vesicles containing neurotransmitter moving towards the presynaptic membrane? Thanks in advance

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by ferrari599
Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:17 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Calcium ions
Replies: 2
Views: 865

Synapse

... enter how do they bring about the release of neurotransmitter, from what I have heard the vesicles containing the neurotransmitter bind to the presynaptic membrane and release their contents but I dont understand the mechanism behind this, I mean how does the entry of Ca ions bring this about

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by Ilyaas
Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:44 am
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Synapse
Replies: 7
Views: 1344

Synapse

Why is it that Calcium ions enter the presynaptic neurone even though due to depolarisation the inside of the nerone is positive? Surely the 2+ charge on the calcium ion would repel the sodiums + charge. Is it that the diffusion gradient effect ...

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by lerrybobs
Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:40 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Synapse
Replies: 7
Views: 1344

Glial cells...Neurons....and the SYNAPSE

... we have glial cells that help myelinate axons of the neuron thus allowing communications such as action potential(s) to reach the axon terminals/presynaptic and then cross the synaptic cleft to the postsynaptic receptors. The neuron would not function in an efficacious manner if the myelin was ...

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by segarama
Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:36 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Glial cells...Neurons....and the SYNAPSE
Replies: 8
Views: 1672
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